Four-Star DL T.A. Cunningham names Top 5, sets decision date

Hayes Fawcett updated head shotby:Hayes Fawcett07/14/23

Hayesfawcett3

Four-star defensive lineman T.A. Cunningham of Miami (FL) Central High narrowed his list to five schools Friday afternoon.

The 6-foot-6, 265 pounder is down to Oklahoma, Miami, Penn State, Texas A&M, and Michigan, and will announce his college decision on July 22nd.

Cunningham discusses finalists

Oklahoma Sooners: “Oklahoma has shown too much love in my recruitment to not be in my top 5. BOOMER!”

Miami Hurricanes: “The feeling on campus when you’re at Miami is like no other. Plus I’ve got mad love for coach Joe and coach Taylor.”

Penn State Nittany Lions: “Penn State is definitely the place to become a great football player but also a better man. Coach Franklin and coach Barnes believe in me in a special type of way.”

Texas A&M Aggies: “Everything’s bigger in Texas, including football. A&M is on the come up and they’ve always held a special place in my heart.”

Michigan Wolverines: “Last time I was in Ann Arbor the coaching staff had a plan for me and knew everything about how I liked to play. Also why not get coached in an NFL style defense with some of the craziest fans in CFB?”

Cunningham ranks as the No. 257 player in the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He also tabs in as the No. 28 defensive lineman and the No. 36 player in the state of Florida.

T.A. Cunningham Scouting Summary

“Big, light-footed athlete along the defensive front. Has one of the larger frames among top 2024 defensive linemen, checking in at 6-foot-6 and around 275 pounds prior to his junior season. Flashes his athleticism by making some high-level plays in pursuit. Regularly disrupts passing lanes and batted down several passes as a sophomore. Will need to continue developing his technique and hands in disengaging from blocks and as a pass rusher.”

He currently has an On3 NIL Valuation of $66K. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.